Five key plays that decided Hawai’i vs. Delaware State

It wasn’t the 40-point domination that the oddsmakers were predicting, but the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors football team still came away with a 21-point victory with a 35-14 win over Delaware State Saturday night at T.C. Ching Stadium.

Football is the ultimate chess game in motion so here are five key plays in chronological order that played a big factor in the outcome of the game.

#1: Landon Sims 29-yard run on his first carry of the game

Down-and-distance: First-and-10 at the DSU 45

Time on clock: 10:35 in 1Q

Why it was important: With the stormy weather playing a role in the touted Hawai’i passing attack looking lackluster for most of the first half, the ground game proved to be a pleasant sign as the team as a whole had a net rushing offense of 128 yards while averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Sims’ big gain down the sideline was a sign of things to come in the running department as it also set up Brayden Schager’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala to give Hawai’i an early 7-0 lead on its second series of the game.

#2: Marqui Adams run for a first down negated by a holding penalty

Down-and-distance: Second-and-3 at DSU 8

Time on clock: 1:04 in 1Q

Why it was important: The running ability of Adams at the quarterback position kept Delaware State in the game as the Hawai’i defense repeatedly got into the backfield. All of the five sacks that the Rainbow Warriors recorded came after this penalty was called. More importantly, the penalty negated a first down and led to two straight incomplete passes before a Nathan Wilson punt, which was then returned by Tylan Hines for a 44-yard TD to give Hawai’i a 14-0 lead before the second quarter.

#3: Adams scrambles up the middle for a 10-yard TD just before halftime

Down-and-distance: Third-and-1 at HAW 10

Time on clock: 0:12 in 2Q

Why it was important: Bettors that took Hawai’i minus the points were certainly disappointed about this, but it also gave the Hornets life in the game as they also received the opening kickoff for the second half and scored again to tie the game at 14 to make Hawai’i fans sweat a little bit. On the play itself, Hawai’i blitzed six players and had everybody else in man coverage, but Adams was able to step up and avoid the pressure and also got past safety Peter Manuma with a little shimmy.

#4: Schager 15-yard quarterback draw to give Hawai’i the lead again

Down-and-distance: First-and-10 at DSU 15

Time on clock: 7:48 in 3Q

Why it was important: Our quarterback is a football player that is willing to be physical. This was a designed play all the way as Sims gave a key block up the middle before Schager cut it to the outside with an additional stiff arm to one defender and a truck attempt into another defender at the goal line. Both head coach Timmy Chang and Schager also said in the postgame that it was Schager’s idea to put in more QB run plays so it was nice to see that come into fruition. This was also the offense’s first chance to respond after essentially two consecutive Delaware State scores and the Rainbow Warriors’ offense answered the call with their field general in Schager leading the way.

#5: First Schager bomb of the year goes to Kentucky-transfer Dekel Crowdus

Down-and-distance: Second-and-4 at the DSU 29

Time on clock: 13:40 in 4Q

Why it was important: It took them a bit to get going, but Schager and Crowdus was able to connect on a long ball down the right sideline for a score to give Hawai’i a 28-14 lead. You can’t build chemistry without live reps against another opponent so to see these two finally hook up was a positive sign. Crowdus was also getting jammed by opposing corners earlier in the game which affected the timing on the deep ball, so Hawai’i adjusted by having Crowdus run a stutter-go concept that saw him get behind the defender with ease after the double move to catch a beautiful ball in stride from Schager.